McClellan likes the Cardinals chances in 2012

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan delivers to the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game in Washington, Wednesday, June 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) By Ann Heisenfelt

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle McClellan throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros on Monday, July 25, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) By Jeff Roberson

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 2, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco) By Brian Blanco

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle McClellan (46) pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Monday, May 30, 2011 in St. Louis.(AP Photo/Tom Gannam) By Tom Gannam

(BaseballStL) – Life after Albert Pujols and Dave Duncan may not be so terrible says Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan.

In an interview Saturday morning on 101 ESPN McClellan there is a lot to feel good about with the Cardinals rotation even without long-time pitching coach Dave Duncan

“You can’t replace Dunc, but we have a pretty veteran staff,” said McClellan. “They know what they need to do to prepare. The things that Dunc has taught them will stay with them.”

From the mound McClellan can’t get too excited about Prince Fielder’s exit from the Brewers and the NL Central.

“When someone leaves someone else always steps in. It’s not like they will have a guy hitting .150 steps in,” he said.

McClellan says Cincinnati, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh are all tough, but he says the Cardinals have a strong line up with Beltran, Berkman and “emergency head.”

“The division is still going to be a good division, but I still like our chances,” he said.